05/02/98

This website is no longer maintained or in current use, please go to www.classiccamperclub.co.uk the original specialist club for all motorcaravans built in a bygone
era. Vehicles must have been built up to, and including, 1990 in order to
qualify for membership.

Home-converted living vans and motorised caravans have been in evidence
since the advent of the internal combustion engine. Despite early attempts
by several coachbuilders to make popular the ‘motorcaravan’ (1920s & 30s),
it would be not until the mid-1950s that this leisure activity would gain
any degree of popularity in the UK.

Those early
production motor caravans were the ancestors of today’s luxury examples.
Early pioneering stalwarts included, Martin Walter (Dormobile), J P White,
Peter Pitt, Maurice Calthorpe, Central Garages (Paralanian), Bluebird and a
small number of other specialist coachbuilders. Base vehicles utilised for
conversion in the 1950s included, Bedford CA, Austin 152/Morris J2,
Volkswagon and Ford Thames.

The period from the mid-1950s until the introduction of VAT in 1973 are
often referred to as the ‘boom years’ for the sales of motor caravans in the
UK. In excess of 15,000 units were being sold in the UK prior to the
introduction of VAT, as a matter of interest figures today are only in the
region of 9,000!

It is fairly safe to assume that a large number of motor caravans produced
during the ‘boom’ years have survived. Many of the respected names from
within the industry at that time are represented within the ranks of the Classic
Camper Club.

Now that the club has been in operation in excess of 19 years, I think it
safe to say that those lovely motorcaravans of the past are now very much
part of the ‘classic’ scene in both this country and abroad. Classified
advertisements within the various classic publications now often carry the
words ‘classic camper! In addition, just about every classic vehicle
magazine worth its salt has carried articles in recent years on the subject
of ‘classic motorcaravans’. Leading motorcaravan publications in the UK now
also carry regular pages dedicated to older ‘vans.

I am extremely proud of the fact that this club has enormous respect from
within the UK classic vehicle and motorcaravan scene, for it’s friendliness,
(the club is not committee run but does listen very carefully to members
ideas and suggestions.) Members play an active role within the club,
weekend ‘camp n natters’ are always well attended and knowledgeable members
offer their services for free as ‘technical consultants’.

Although the club does not operate its own spares service (there are simply
too many base vehicles!) we do keep an up to date list of suppliers.
Members are also able to advertise free of charge in the club journal, this
includes parts wanted, parts for sale and of course, complete vehicles.

Benefits of membership

So what are the benefits of belonging to the number one, UK classic
motorcaravan club? I hope that the vast majority (if not all) of the full
list will wet your appetite

Technical support at the end
of the phone from club members with a particular one-make knowledge

Free advertising within
Morning Campers

Club archive resource of model
profiles

Fabulous choice of club
regalia

Assistance with tracking down
that elusive spare part

A club website to be proud of,
it has already one an award!

‘Help at hand’ scheme operated
by members for members

The assurance that you are a
member of one of the friendliest clubs on the scene

We sincerely hope that you enjoy these web pages, if you do own a
motorcaravan that is eligible for membership then come and join us. Please
download the application form to be found elsewhere on this site. We look
forward to meeting up with you!